Mary John Goree Las Animas County Scholarship Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $617,375 (2023)
• Total Assets: $8.5 million (2022)
• Scholarships Awarded Annually: Up to 6 new awards (plus renewals)
• Decision Time: Finalists notified February; final decisions within 2 weeks of March interviews
• Award Range: Minimum $62,400 - $65,210+ (full tuition and fees, plus need-based support for room/board)
• Geographic Focus: Las Animas County, Colorado residents only
• Renewal Period: Up to 3 additional years (4 years total)

Contact Details

Mary John Goree Las Animas County Scholarship Foundation 2741 Sherbrooke Rd Shaker Heights, OH 44122-1829 Toll-Free: 800-537-4180

Website: https://goreescholarship.org

For Application Questions: Email: lasanimasgoree@scholarshipamerica.org Phone: (507) 931-1682 Also add: studentsupport@scholarshipamerica.org as a safe sender

Overview

The Mary John Goree Las Animas County Scholarship Foundation was established through the unspent income from the original Mary John Goree Scholarship at Princeton University. The original scholarship was founded by William Mestrezat John (Princeton Class of 1910) in 1947 in memory of his sister, Mary John Goree, who died in 1944. The scholarship took effect in 1962 upon William John's death, seeded with $100,000 (approximately $1.1 million in today's dollars). The Las Animas County Foundation, managed through Scholarship America, now awards scholarships to Las Animas County residents attending four-year institutions other than Princeton. With assets of $8.5 million and annual giving of over $617,000, the foundation provides one of the most generous scholarship opportunities in rural Colorado, offering awards that equal or exceed full tuition and fees at any U.S. four-year institution, with additional need-based support for living expenses.

Funding Priorities

Scholarship Programs

Mary John Goree Las Animas County Scholarship

• Award Amount: Minimum award equals the greater of (1) Princeton University's full tuition and fees ($65,210 for 2025-2026) or (2) full tuition and fees at the student's chosen institution
• Additional Support: Need-based awards for room, board, travel, and other expenses (amounts determined by the Foundation)
• Number of Awards: Up to 6 new scholarships awarded annually
• Renewal: Awards are renewable for up to 3 additional years (4 years total) or until bachelor's degree completion, whichever comes first
• Application Method: Online application through Scholarship America portal; rolling deadline in early December

Eligibility Requirements

Geographic Requirement:

• Must be a bona fide, legal, and actual resident of Las Animas County, Colorado at time of selection
• Location of high school is irrelevant as long as residency requirement is met

Academic Requirements:

• Must be a high school senior planning to attend a four-year college/university
• Unweighted GPA of 3.00 or higher on a 4.0 scale (based on first three years of high school)
• Must meet SAT or ACT score thresholds that correspond to GPA level (see foundation website for specific score requirements)
• SAT scores required for all applicants (Colorado administers SAT to all juniors); ACT scores optional

Other Requirements:

• Plan to attend an accredited four-year college or university in the United States (other than Princeton University)
• Full-time enrollment required

What They Don't Fund

• Graduate or professional degree programs
• Part-time enrollment
• Two-year or vocational programs
• Princeton University attendance (separate sister scholarship exists for Princeton)
• Students who are not residents of Las Animas County, Colorado

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by a volunteer board of directors who serve without compensation:

David J. Vandermeulen, J.D., Ph.D. - President Grandson of William M. John, the original scholarship donor. Since 1982, has served on the Advisory Board of the Mary John Goree Scholarship at Princeton University and has interviewed virtually all Las Animas County students considering Princeton over the past four decades.

Patricia A. McFarland, Ph.D. - Secretary Raised in Boston, MA, graduated from Boston College with a B.S. in nursing (1967). Earned M.A. and Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from the University of Denver, where she now serves as Research Associate Professor at the Graduate School of Social Work and Director of Research and Evaluation Methods at the Butler Institute for Families.

Kathleen Griego - Treasurer Born and raised in Las Animas County, attended University of Colorado with a major in accounting. Member of the board of trustees of Mt. San Rafael Hospital, where she currently serves as president.

Additional Board Members:

• Alison K. Finsten
• John E. Garcia
• Blaine L. Newby
• Shauna Rienks, Ph.D.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Application Platform: Online application through Scholarship America's portal at learnmore.scholarsapply.org/lasanimasgoree

Required Materials:

1. Completed online application
2. SAT scores (required for all applicants)
3. ACT scores (optional)
4. ONE teacher recommendation from a teacher who taught the student in grades 9-12 (recommendations from advisors, coaches, or others not accepted unless they also taught the student as a classroom teacher)
5. ONE counselor recommendation
6. List of up to eight colleges/universities where student has applied or intends to apply

Important Notes:

• Students provide email addresses for their counselor and teacher, which generates automated recommendation requests
• Only one counselor and one teacher recommendation will be accepted
• All materials must be submitted electronically

Application Timeline (2024-2025 Cycle Example)

• Student Application Deadline: Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at 3:00 PM Central
• Counselor/Teacher Recommendation Deadline: Monday, December 9, 2024 at 3:00 PM Central
• Finalist Notification: Monday, February 10, 2025
• Finalist Interviews: Sunday, March 2, 2025 (in-person interview with Foundation board)
• Final Decision Notification: Within 2 weeks of interviews

Decision Process

1. Application Review: Foundation reviews all applications
2. Finalist Selection: Selected finalists invited for personal interviews
3. Interview Requirement: Finalists must appear before the Foundation's board for a personal interview
4. Interview Submission: At interview, students submit updated list of all colleges where they have active applications as of the interview date
5. Final Selection: Board selects recipients within 2 weeks of interviews

Renewal Requirements

Awards are renewable up to three additional years (4 years total) based on:

Minimum Standards:

• Complete minimum of 12 credit hours each semester/quarter
• Maintain cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or equivalent
• Submit transcript at end of each quarter/semester for review

Warning and Probation System:

• Warning: Issued if semester/quarter GPA falls below 3.0 but cumulative GPA remains above 3.0
• Probation: If term GPA is below 3.0 for two consecutive semesters/quarters, scholarship is reviewed and student may be placed on supported or full academic probation at Foundation's discretion
• Support Provision: Students maintaining 2.5-3.0 GPA who actively use college academic support services will not lose scholarship even if cumulative GPA falls below 3.0

Flexibility

Recipients may use their scholarship at any accredited four-year U.S. institution other than Princeton, regardless of whether that institution was on their original application list submitted at interview time.

Application Success Factors

What the Foundation Values

Based on the foundation's structure and history, successful applicants demonstrate:

Academic Excellence with Context:

• Strong GPA (minimum 3.0, but competitive applicants likely exceed this)
• SAT/ACT scores that meet or exceed the Foundation's GPA-specific requirements
• The foundation understands rural educational contexts—academic achievement is evaluated within the Las Animas County environment

Connection to Las Animas County:

• Genuine, legal residency in Las Animas County is non-negotiable
• The foundation's mission specifically serves this rural Colorado community, honoring William John's commitment to his home region

Thoughtful College Selection:

• Students must list up to eight colleges where they've applied or intend to apply
• The foundation wants to see students have researched and identified appropriate institutions
• Flexibility is valued—students can ultimately attend schools not on their original list

Interview Performance:

• All finalists must participate in personal interviews with the board
• The interview is a critical component—President David Vandermeulen has personally interviewed Las Animas County students for over 40 years
• This suggests the Foundation values personal connection and the ability to articulate goals and plans

Strategic Insights

The Princeton Connection: While this scholarship is specifically for non-Princeton institutions, understanding the foundation's Princeton roots is important. The original scholarship aimed to "reward and promote academic excellence among Las Animas County students." This same philosophy drives the Las Animas County Foundation—they seek students who will excel academically and represent their community well.

Financial Need Matters for Full Award: The minimum award (full tuition and fees) is guaranteed regardless of financial circumstances. However, additional support for room, board, travel, and other expenses is "based upon financial need." Students should be prepared to demonstrate financial need if seeking maximum support.

Renewal is Expected: The foundation has thoughtful renewal policies with support systems for struggling students. This suggests they invest in scholar success and expect most recipients to complete their degrees.

Recent Recipients' Paths: Recent scholars have attended a diverse range of institutions including Colorado State University, University of Colorado (Boulder, Denver, Colorado Springs), Arizona State University, University of Northern Colorado, University of Utah, Adams State University, Johnson & Wales University, and University of North Carolina at Pembroke. This demonstrates openness to various institutional types and locations.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Missing the early December deadline (firm deadline, no extensions)
• Submitting recommendations from non-classroom teachers (only teachers who taught you in grades 9-12 are acceptable)
• Failing to add required email addresses as safe senders (emails may go to spam)
• Not meeting the GPA-specific SAT/ACT score requirements (check foundation website for your GPA tier)
• Applying if you don't meet the Las Animas County residency requirement

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

For High School Counselors and Students:

1. This is One of Colorado's Most Generous Scholarships: With minimum awards of $62,400-$65,210+ and additional need-based support, this scholarship can provide a full-ride education at any U.S. four-year institution. Las Animas County students should prioritize this application.

2. The Interview is Critical: Being selected as a finalist is a significant achievement, but the personal interview determines final selection. Prepare to articulate your academic goals, college choices, and connection to Las Animas County.

3. Residency is Non-Negotiable: You must be a legal, actual resident of Las Animas County at time of selection. Where you attend high school doesn't matter, but residency does.

4. Plan for December Deadline: Unlike many scholarships with spring deadlines, this application is due in early December. Start early in your senior year.

5. Academic Standards are Clear but Holistic: While a 3.0 GPA minimum and specific SAT/ACT scores are required, the interview process suggests the Foundation looks beyond numbers to find students who will thrive and represent their community well.

6. Renewable Support Comes with Reasonable Expectations: The 3.0 GPA renewal requirement is the same as the application minimum, and the Foundation provides support systems for struggling students. They want you to succeed.

7. Geographic Reach Reflects Rural Values: Recent scholars attend schools across the country, from North Carolina to Utah to Arizona. The Foundation supports students' educational dreams wherever they lead, as long as they start from Las Animas County roots.

References

1. Mary John Goree Las Animas County Scholarship Foundation official website: https://goreescholarship.org (Accessed February 2026)

2. Scholarship America - Mary John Goree Las Animas County Scholarship Program: https://scholarshipamerica.org/scholarship/lasanimasgoree/ (Accessed February 2026)

3. Mary John Goree Las Animas County Scholarship Program Application Portal: https://learnmore.scholarsapply.org/lasanimasgoree/ (Accessed February 2026)

4. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - IRS Form 990 filings for Mary John Goree Las Animas County Scholarship Foundation (EIN 27-5026539): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/275026539 (Accessed February 2026)

5. Cause IQ - Mary John Goree Las Animas County Scholarship Foundation Profile: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/mary-john-goree-las-animas-county-scholarship-foun,275026539/ (Accessed February 2026)

6. William M. John Wikipedia entry (historical context): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_M._John (Accessed February 2026)

7. CollegeBoard BigFuture Scholarship Search - Mary John Goree Las Animas County Scholarship: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarships/mary-john-goree-las-animas-county-scholarship (Accessed February 2026)

8. The Chronicle-News - "Winners announced for Mary John Goree LA County Scholarship": https://www.thechronicle-news.com/winners-announced-for-mary-john-goree-la-county-scholarship/ (Accessed February 2026)